Parts of their names are identical to each other. Their basic stages have the same prefix Pan-, equivalent with the Japanese suffix ップ (-ppu), while their final stages have the prefix Simi-, the same true with the Japanese suffix ッキー (-kkī).

This term should not be confused with other Pokémon based on monkeys, such as Chimchar, Aipom, and Mankey.

Pansage is the first of the elemental monkeys in National Pokédex order and the Grass-type of the group. It evolves into Simisage when exposed to the Leaf Stone. Pansage made its first appearance alongside Axew on toys dating back to July 2010, making it the first of the monkeys ever seen by fans.

Pansage is a green colored monkey with a tan colored face, arms, and upper body. It has a tree-like sprout forming on its head and a pair of leaves on its tail. Simisage is a primate-like Pokémon that is primarily green in coloration. It has a pointed, bush-like crest similar to a Pompadour on its head and broad ears to the sides of it. It has a little fluff on its shoulders and a thorny tail. Pansage is likely based on "Speak no Evil" from the three wise monkeys motif.

As Grass types, Pansage and Simisage are capable of learning various Grass-type moves such as Seed Bomb, Leech Seed, and even Grass Knot, and are capable of having Overgrow as their Hidden Ability. Pansage's leaves are known to cure exhaustion, and Simisage attacks with its thorny tail if angered.

Pansear is a red monkey Pokémon with tan coloring on its face and upper body. It has a flame shaped hair on its head and an arrow shaped-feature on its tail. Simisear is a primate-like Pokémon that is primarily red in coloration. It has a swirled, flame-like crest on its head and broad ears to the sides of it. It has fluffs of white hair on its shoulders and a tail resembling a plume of fire. Pansear is likely based on "Hear no Evil" from the three wise monkeys motif.

As Fire types, Pansear and Simisear are capable of learning various Fire-type moves such as Flame Burst, Flamethrower, and Fire Blast and are capable of having Blaze as their Hidden Ability. When angered Pansear's fire tuft will burn, and Simisear burns opponents by scattering the fire inside its body from its head and tail.

Panpour is the last of the elemental monkeys in National Pokédex order and the Water-type of the group. It evolves into Simipour when exposed to the Water Stone.

Panpour is a blue monkey Pokémon with tan coloring on its face and lower body. Its hair on its head is shaped like a fountain or mushroom cloud and its tail has a club-like shape at the end. Simipour is a primate-like Pokémon that is primarily blue in coloration. It has crests on its head similar to dreadlocks and broad ears to the sides of it. Simipour also have a cream-colored face, chest, hands, arms, legs, and feet. Panpour is likely based on "See no Evil" from the three wise monkeys motif.

As Water types, Panpour and Simipour are capable of learning various Water-type moves such as Scald and Surf plus some Ice-type moves like Ice Beam. They are capable of having Torrent as their Hidden Ability. Panpour gathers water, stores it into its hair, and then dampens its body using its tail. The water stored in the tuft on its head is full of nutrition; plants watered with it will grow well. Simipour can use the stored water in its tail ether as backup when water supply is low or use it as a powerful weapon strong enough to destroy concrete.

Cilan's Pansage

Cilan's Pansage was the last of the Pokémon of the leader trio faced by Ash at the Gym, with Ash choosing to use Oshawott. Pansage was a formidable opponent, overwhelming and intimidating Oshawott with powerful Bullet Seed and Bite attacks and with skillful agility that dodged Oshawott's attacks. As a finisher, Pansage used SolarBeam on Oshawott, but Oshawott deflected it with his scalchop and the battle continued. The battle ended when Oshawott won against Pansage after defeating it with Razor Shell.

After the battle, Cilan remarks on Ash's skills and decides to travel with him and Iris. Since then, Cilan often uses Pansage for assisting himself and his friends.

Chili's Pansear

Chili's Pansear

Pansear is Chili's only known Pokémon. It first appeared in Triple Leaders, Team Threats! when it battled against Ash's Tepig. Pansear managed to put up a good fight against Tepig with its powerful Dig attack, along with Fire Punch that sent Tepig flying. However, Tepig dove into the tunnels after Pansear and bit down on its tail which caused Pansear extreme pain. Tepig then spun Pansear around by its tail and threw it across the field, then followed up with Ember and Tackled it into the wall, knocking Pansear out.

Cress's Panpour

Panpour is Cress's only known Pokémon. It first appeared in Triple Leaders, Team Threats! when it battled against Ash's Pikachu. It was shown to be an extremely powerful Pokémon, able to defeat Pikachu without suffering any damage despite having the type disadvantage. Panpour's Double Team confused Pikachu, after which Panpour landed a powerful Scratch. Pikachu tried to use Thunderbolt, but Panpour's Water Gun hit Pikachu before he could execute his move. Pikachu then tried a Volt Tackle, but Panpour's Mud Sport stopped Pikachu in his tracks, after which another Water Gun knocked him out.

In the manga

In the Pocket Monsters BW manga

In Pocket Monsters BW, Cilan, Chili and Cress appear in PMBW02, each using their signature elemental monkey. When Red's Clefairy tries to instigate a fight between the brothers, their monkeys attack in a group against Clefairy, but this backfires when Clefairy uses their combined powers to make green tea.